New studies keep coming out supporting the use of hypnosis, but here are some highlights of some important past studies.

Shorter Births, Less Pain, Higher APGAR Scale

In the 1990 Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, researchers compared two groups of pregnant women. One was trained in breathing and relaxation techniques only, while the other was trained in HypnoBirthing techniques.

In 1993, a study published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology showed a reduction in the length of labor when the mother was prepared for birth with hypnosis. [4. Schauble, Paul G.; Werner, William E.F.; Rai, Surekha H.; Martin, Alice (1998), "Childbirth Preparation Through Hypnosis: The Hypnoreflexogenius Protocol," American Journal Of Clinical Hypnosis, 40 (4), 273-283. ]

No Need For Meds!

In another British study, “55% of 45 of patients (first and second time mothers) required no medication for pain relief. Non-hypnosis groups: only 22% of 90 women required no medication.” [5. "Studies On Hypnosis For Childbirth," http://www.birthinbliss.com/STUDIES.pdf. ]

Less Intervention

Hypnosis combined with childbirth education is a winning combination! Of 45 Hypnosis for Childbirth clients, 38 delivered without the use of caesarean, forceps or vacuum, a rate of spontaneous birth of 84%. This is a higher than average rate of normal birth for the general population of first time mothers. [6. Harmon, T.N. Hynan, M., and Tyre, T.E., Improved obstetric outcomes using hypnotic analgesia and skill mastery combines with childbirth education, Journal Of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 58, 525, 530, 1990. ]

Virtual Absence Of Postpartum Depression

McCarthy provided five 30-minute sessions to 600 women and found a virtual absence of postpartum depression, compared to the typical rates of 10 to 15 percent. Women with a history of postpartum depression did not develop this condition, even though an estimated 50 percent eventually do. [7. McCarthy, P., Hypnosis In Obstetrics, Australian Journal Of Clinical And Experimental Hypnosis, 26, 35-42, 1998. ]